Becoming Real: Defeating the Stories We Tell Ourselves That Hold Us Back

Rating:
Summary: On Becoming Real
Review: Boy oh Boy was this a waste of effort. Gail gets going really good with a great explanation about the "unconscious" and how it can sabotage us. I was thinking "REAL GOOD STUFF" Then she flops out this rediculous test that is far too over general and then proceeds to tell you stories of which you are to pick one or perhaps a couple of ones that you may be in synch with only to lose all validity.. I didn't find any of her story choices to be one that I could pick from.

The book is far from being helpful and I am disappointed. Don't waste your money or time...

Keep searching for your answers elseware...

Rating:
Summary: On Becoming Real
Review: Boy oh Boy was this a waste of effort. Gail gets going really good with a great explanation about the "unconscious" and how it can sabotage us. I was thinking "REAL GOOD STUFF" Then she flops out this rediculous test that is far too over general and then proceeds to tell you stories of which you are to pick one or perhaps a couple of ones that you may be in synch with only to lose all validity.. I didn't find any of her story choices to be one that I could pick from.

The book is far from being helpful and I am disappointed. Don't waste your money or time...

Keep searching for your answers elseware...

Rating:
Summary: brilliant
Review: i am a student of self-help books with a psychological bent; as such, i did not expect to learn much when i picked up this book. i was stunned by the fascinating and creative approach dr. saltz takes to these issues -- she looks at emotional problems in a unique and dynamic way. the book was so much more enlightening than the standard psychoanalytic explanations that one usually hears from the likes of dr. phil -- here, at last, clear and believable explanations for how childhood affects adult life, and why we become the people we become. her narrative voice is smart, yet refreshingly friendly and funny -- i felt as though i knew her by the time the book was done.

when you finish the book, you'll wish you could sit on her couch! marvelous, entertaining and eye-opening -- i highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Makes Sense
Review: I purchased this book after reading an excerpt of it, and it has exceeded all of my expectations and then some. Dr. Saltz outlines her theories and explains them in a way that we can all relate to(EVERYONE has done some storytelling), in a way that makes sense, and to top it off it doesn't want to make you run out and get mad at the world for all of your problems, if anything it makes you a little more empathetic. I'm a firm believer in the theory that you can't successfully change what you don't understand, and this book helps to provide that understanding in a concise way. Dr. Saltz gives numerous examples of patterns of behavior, how you may have come to exhibit it, and how you can change it (if that's what you want to do). For anyone that feels stuck or just confused about why their life is the way it is, this book is an excellent tool to help clear up some confusion. It's not preachy and is written in a conversational way that's easy to read. This book has helped me immensely!

Rating:
Summary: Getting Real is "Right On!"
Review: I think Getting Real is "Right On"! I read the book and really found it helpful in understanding myself and how I deal with certain situations. What I liked particularly is that it was "down to earth" - in language I could understand - with examples anyone could relate to. It was easy and interesting to read (not like a boring text book). Yet at the same time, the book makes you think about yourself and probe deep inside with the intent of self-awareness and self-improvement. Everyone should read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Getting Real is "Right On!"
Review: This was such a waste; I didn't even finish it (and I'm a real book lover). It was clearly written for a female audience, but that's not obvious when you buy it! Also, she seems to be neo-Freudian with her wanting to go back to our childhood to see why we made up the "stories" that still govern our lives. This, of course, is in contrast to today's generally accepted psychotherapy of CBT.

She provides 3 (or 4?) lame questionnaires that are supposed to tell you what your personality type is, but each questionnaire is only 20 questions. You can get a more accurate picture of yourself online for free.

Some of her analyses of patients seem contradictory, and although the anecdotes are somewhat interesting I could find *none* that came close to my situation. I still don't know what my "stories" are, and even if I did, I'd have no clue how to rewrite them.

Don't waste your money.

Rating:
Summary: pop psychology gone bad
Review: This was such a waste; I didn't even finish it (and I'm a real book lover). It was clearly written for a female audience, but that's not obvious when you buy it! Also, she seems to be neo-Freudian with her wanting to go back to our childhood to see why we made up the "stories" that still govern our lives. This, of course, is in contrast to today's generally accepted psychotherapy of CBT.

She provides 3 (or 4?) lame questionnaires that are supposed to tell you what your personality type is, but each questionnaire is only 20 questions. You can get a more accurate picture of yourself online for free.

Some of her analyses of patients seem contradictory, and although the anecdotes are somewhat interesting I could find *none* that came close to my situation. I still don't know what my "stories" are, and even if I did, I'd have no clue how to rewrite them.

Don't waste your money.

Rating:
Summary: Finally living for real
Review: When I picked up Gail's book "Becoming Real" I knew that I had not been happy with my life for years. After I was a few chapters in to her book, I discovered why I had not been happy. As I read on, I learned what "stories" I had been telling myself that were preventing me from achieving this happiness. I realized that it was not the rest of the world that was cheating me and overlooking my talents. It was me. By the end of the book, I knew what I had to do to rewrite my story. And, now, I'm proud to say that the plot of my life is a real page-turner. :-)

Gail's book helped me realize that I am in control of what I decide to do with my life. Sure, I could have continued to sit around feeling sorry for myself and look at how well "everyone else" was doing. But, thanks to some essential realizations I had while reading her book, I have learned how to really listen to myself, and what I truly want, regardless of what I think others may want me to do instead.

Putting an end to my roadblock stories has been so freeing. Gail's book helped me learn how to recognize and replace the "self-defeating" parts of my personality that held me back for years. If I had not read her book the other month, I probably would have continued to fret about how unhappy I was, without knowing what to do about it. But, with the insight I gained from Gail's book, I had the tools and courage to make some major changes in my life. After years of pursuing what I thought I should be doing with my life, I am now doing what I want to be doing.

But, I do need to warn you that "Becoming Real" does not guarantee a "quick fix." Just as the case with therapy, you really have to be ready to make changes in your life. And, more importantly, you have to be willing to take a close look inside, and have the courage to see what is really there...and also, what is missing. For me, Gail's powerful words were catalysts for the even more powerful steps that I needed to take to "become real."

Rating:
Summary: Finally living for real
Review: When I picked up Gail's book "Becoming Real" I knew that I had not been happy with my life for years. After I was a few chapters into her book, I discovered why I had not been happy. As I read on, I learned what "stories" I had been telling myself that were preventing me from achieving this happiness. I realized that it was not the rest of the world that was cheating me and overlooking my talents. It was me. By the end of the book, I knew what I had to do to rewrite my story. And, now, I'm proud to say that the plot of my life is a real page-turner. :-)

Gail's book helped me realize that I am in control of what I decide to do with my life. Sure, I could have continued to sit around feeling sorry for myself and look at how well "everyone else" was doing. But, thanks to some essential realizations I had while reading her book, I have learned how to really listen to myself, and what I truly want, regardless of what I think others may want me to do instead.

Putting an end to my roadblock stories has been so freeing. Gail's book helped me learn how to recognize and replace the "self-defeating" parts of my personality that held me back for years. If I had not read her book the other month, I probably would have continued to fret about how unhappy I was, without knowing what to do about it. But, with the insight I gained from Gail's book, I had the tools and courage to make some major changes in my life. After years of pursuing what I thought I should be doing with my life, I am now doing what I want to be doing.

But, I do need to warn you that "Becoming Real" does not guarantee a quick fix. Just as the case with therapy, you really have to be ready to make changes in your life. And, more importantly, you have to be willing to take a close look inside, and have the courage to see what is really there...and also, what is missing. For me, Gail's powerful words were catalysts for the even more powerful steps that I needed to take to "become real."